Convertible cargo container

Abstract

An apparatus which is convertible from a portable cargo container to a wheeled vehicle. In particular, the present invention is a backpack or article of luggage that includes a deployable wheeled platform so that the backpack or luggage is convertible to a scooter type vehicle. The present invention is particularly useful for transporting relatively heavy loads along with a human operator, quickly and with minimal effort.

1 . A mobility cargo platform, comprising:
 a vertically extending central main support having a longitudinal channel extending from a bottom end to a top end and a track assembly disposed along an outside of said vertically extending main support extending upwardly from a first location proximate said bottom end to a second location toward said top end;   a steering handle rotatably disposed inside said longitudinal channel and extending from said bottom end above said top end controlling a direction;   a steerage linkage coupled to said steering handle at said bottom end and extending in a first direction away from said vertically extending central main support;   a steering wheel assembly, coupled to said steerage linkage;   a stowable rider deck having a proximal end including a track engagement assembly coupled to said track assembly and a distal end coupled to a rear wheel assembly, said stowable rider deck repeatably transitionable between a closed mode in which said proximal end is proximate said second location with said rider deck generally vertical and an open mode in which said proximal end is proximate said first location with said rider deck generally horizontal;   a cargo container coupled to said vertically extending central main support; and   a latching assembly, coupled to said stowable rider deck, securing said stowable rider deck in said closed mode.   
     
     
         2 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  further comprising a braking assembly coupled to said rear wheel assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 2  said braking assembly includes a brake pad coupled to said rear wheel assembly and a pedal actuator coupled to said distal end and to said brake pad with actuation of said pedal actuator initiating contact between said brake pad and said rear wheel assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  wherein said rear wheel assembly includes a pair of rear wheels. 
     
     
         5 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 4  further comprising a rear fender disposed proximate an outer perimeter of each rear wheel of said pair of rear wheels, each said rear fender configured for a partial arc about said outer perimeter enabling a rearward tilting of said cargo container in said closed mode and supported by said pair of rear wheels over a support surface, wherein said rearward tilting does not engage said support surface with either of said rear fenders. 
     
     
         6 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  wherein said track assembly includes a pair of vertically extending opposed channels coupled to an outer surface of said vertically extending central main support and wherein said track engagement assembly includes a roller assembly coupled to said track assembly, said roller assembly including a first roller coupled to a first channel of said track assembly and a second roller coupled to a second channel of said track assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  wherein said latching assembly further latches said stowable rider deck in said open mode. 
     
     
         8 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 7  wherein said latching assembly is configured to inhibit a forward pitching of said steering handle about said track engagement assembly when said stowable rider deck is in said open mode and is being ridden. 
     
     
         9 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 8  wherein said latching assembly includes a sliding bolt including a biased pin for engagement with, and disengagement from, said track assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  wherein said track assembly includes a pair of vertically extending lateral rails coupled to opposing outer surfaces of said vertically extending central main support and wherein said track engagement assembly includes a roller assembly coupled to said track assembly, said roller assembly including a first roller coupled to a first rail of said track assembly and a second roller coupled to a second rail of said track assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The mobility cargo platform of  claim 1  wherein said cargo container is an independent container configured to be repeatedly attached to and detached from said vertically extending central main support.